Spectropolarimetry. II. Circular Polarization Optics and Techniques

We discuss the design of a Pancharatnam "superachromatic" quarter-wave plate and its application in two circular spectropolarimeters. The alignment and calibration of the polarimetry optics is discussed, as well as the data reduction techniques. In particular, the differences between reduc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 1995-02, Vol.107 (708), p.179-183
Main Authors: Goodrich, Robert W., Cohen, Marshall H., Putney, Angela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomical Instrumentation
Calibration
Circular polarization
Design efficiency
Light beams
Linear polarization
Optics
Polarimeters
Polarimetry
Wavelengths
White dwarfs
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Summary:We discuss the design of a Pancharatnam "superachromatic" quarter-wave plate and its application in two circular spectropolarimeters. The alignment and calibration of the polarimetry optics is discussed, as well as the data reduction techniques. In particular, the differences between reducing linear-polarimetry data and reducing circular polarimetry are emphasized.
ISSN:0004-6280
1538-3873